Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter
Send news

News tags

mental health  physical activity  earthquake  vacancies  families  public health  children  funding  poverty  health determinants  social  Community development  planning  employment  healthy cities  volunteers  newsletter  youth  volunteering  nutrition  employment opportunity  housing  alcohol and drugs  maori  community engagement  rebuilding  wellbeing  disabilities  Lectures  counselling  Training  earthquake recovery  sustainability  event  community gardens  Community  seminar  Awards  stress  Community Groups  mens health  research  arts  smokefree  culture  men  exercise  migrants  community event  education  environment  resilience  human rights  health  medical  business  sport  conferences  survey  mental wellbeing  Courses  obesity  elderly  support group  environmental health  healthy food  health promotion  violence  pacific health  resources  rebuild  women  race relations  meeting  gardens  workshop  services  leadership  forum  water  disabled  repair  transport  prevention  pacific  dance  fundraising  asian health  sexual health  inequality  cancer  support  disasters  development  mindfulness  dementia  presentation  collaboration  health in all policies  data analysis  recovery  smoking  law  drugs and alcohol  technology  safety  cycling  Sleep  policy  parenting  media  hearing  walking  land  neighbours  social justice  qualification  resilient cities  information  community connection  consultation  oral health  bullying  depression  youth empowerment  young people  activities  non-profit  charity  harm  NURSES  addiction  disease  Communication  alcohol  symposium  submission  anxiety  accessibility  Relationships  eating  economics  Advocacy  eLearning  falls  parking  energy  efficiency  heating  insulation  advice  Eating Disorders  abuse  waste  Matariki  webinar  diabetes  workplace  Film  Climate Change  solutions  urban  management  economy  plan  restoration  Report  Vulnerability  welfare  parks  learning  awareness  emergencies  legislation  injury prevention  reading  Meeting Room  conservation  language  refugees  recreation  built environment  data  venue  urban design  Food  older people  finances  suicide  heritage  gender  recycling  breastfeeding  public  identity  Nursing  submissions  Rainbow  biodiversity  campaign  promotion  Gut Health  diversity  therapy  older adults  sexuality  computing  pollution  School Holidays  Arts Therapy  providers  gambling  Maori health  Cervical cancer  screening  trauma  autism  Governance  treaty of waitangi  care  mentoring  pets  relaxation  Professional Development  pornography  exhibition  history  discrimination  vaping  equity  lockdown  grief  rural  hygiene  participation  tourism  summer  intervention  warning  podcast  science  petition  swimming  roadworks  traffic  wildlife  beaches  pools  immunisation  vaccination  brain  preparation  open day  market  evaluation  noise  music  property  testing  crafts  CALD  cultural diversity  camping  creativity  child health  tamariki  climate action  Pasifika  refugee  migrant  community events  road safety  library  Hornby  skills  placemaking  regenerative communities  journey  reflection  regional council  councillors  water management  emergency management  retirement  stress management  Christmas  family  festival  alcohol harm  waterways  planting  health protection  legionnaire's disease  hepatitis  heatwaves  river beds  water safety  fishing  gardening  workshops  stormwater  biosecurity  volunteer  plant and animal pest management  politics  faith  crime  drugs  pregnancy  native birds  Waimakariri  water quality  schools  early childhood  health professionals  heart disease  kura  school  ethical issues  rangatahi  Linwood  running  donations  whanau  financial pressures  online  health professional  flooding  conflict  peace  winter  agriculture 

Iconic Mona Vale Bath House to be restored

Wednesday, July 17, 2024   Posted in: Signatory Notice Board By: Administrator With tags: repair, restoration, built environment, heritage

Christchurch City Council Newsline: 15th July 2024

Earthquake repair and strengthening work on the Mona Vale Bath House is about to begin.

Contractor Armitage Williams will be on site from next week and work is expected to be completed in the summer.

This small but charming building, which uses finely crafted timber framing and glazing bars rather than steel framing, was closed to the public following the Canterbury earthquakes. The restoration of the building is the final earthquake-related project to be completed at Mona Vale.

Due to budget constraints the work was to be deferred to 2029, however the Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens began a fundraising campaign last year to help with the cost of repairs, amid fears the building would suffer further deterioration.

“We are thrilled that our fundraising efforts have allowed this restoration to be brought forward. Many Cantabrians supported our campaign which began with an Edwardian Garden Party very fitting for this beautiful garden and homestead,” says Jeanette Christensen, Convener Mona Vale sub-committee.

The local Community Board has also been instrumental in helping fund the restoration.

“It’s been a true community effort to get to this point and is a testament to what can be achieved when we all work together towards a common goal,” says Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board Chair Jason Middlemiss.

“To have this lovely building play its part in the fabric of Christchurch life again and to have all the structures at Mona Vale restored to their original glory, is wonderful.”

Acting Director of the Botanic Gardens and Garden Parks Nicky Brown said getting underway with this work is such an important milestone in the Mona Vale restoration.

“Once complete, all of Mona Vale will be open for the whole community to enjoy for years to come. We cannot say thank you enough to the Friends of the Gardens and the Community Board for their support.”

The Bath House building will be used to house a semi-tropical collection of plants, as well as become a public venue for small events. 

Originally designed to replicate an Edwardian conservatory, it functioned as an indoor swimming pool as well as growing a rare collection of sub-tropical plants imported by wealthy heiress, Annie Townend.

Ms Townend was a keen gardener and bought the property - then known as Karewa - for $6,000 pounds in 1905. She changed its name to Mona Vale, added another nine acres and built the two bridges and the gatehouse.

The Bath House was built between 1905 and 1914 and was intended to resemble the conservatory at Glenmark Station, her father’s property in Waipara.

Mona Vale was purchased in 1939 by Tracy T. Gough so there is a special connection for Fendalton Ward Councillor and Tracy T. Gough’s great-grandson James Gough.

“This is the final piece of the puzzle in Mona Vale’s restoration, and I am looking forward to it being finished for everyone to enjoy,” Councillor Gough said.

“I know my great-grandfather would also be pleased to see this work completed and the legacy of this important Christchurch heritage site protected for the next generation.”

The future is bright for the Bath House.

“To have the Bath House restored means that the Mona Vale staff can reinstate the building to house a collection of semi-tropical plants. Mona Vale staff are working with the conservatory staff at the Botanic Gardens to put together a collection which will complement those grown in Cunningham House and the other conservatories.

"This will allow the people of Christchurch and beyond to have access to a slice of botanical history as well as a beautiful garden to visit,” says Mrs Christensen.

The entrance to the Mona Vale Bath House. Source: Christchurch City Council.